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[Katmandu]

Recruitment at the University of Oklahoma is competitive, and the the vast majority of greek women on that campus tend to be of traditional age and circumstances. That is not to say no one in your circumstances could ever get a bid, but it would be more difficult at OU than at a school with a different environment, such as a school with a large commuter or non-traditional student population. OU sororities have big houses, and you will also want to investigate live-in requirements and what exceptions, if any, are made to any expectations for women to live in.

Talk to the Greek Life office--they will know who is COBing, and they may have a realistic sense of your chances. However, as a married 23/24 year old woman, you might find that going to Grab a Dates, Crushes and fraternity mixers with 18 year olds less fun than you think. Close friendships, service opportunities and fun times can also be found in community sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi, or service or leadership organizations, and clubs/interest groups on campus. OU is a big place with big opportunities.

[NotSure27]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

Recruitment at the University of Oklahoma is competitive, and the the vast majority of greek women on that campus tend to be of traditional age and circumstances. That is not to say no one in your circumstances could ever get a bid, but it would be more difficult at OU than at a school with a different environment, such as a school with a large commuter or non-traditional student population. OU sororities have big houses, and you will also want to investigate live-in requirements and what exceptions, if any, are made to any expectations for women to live in.

Talk to the Greek Life office--they will know who is COBing, and they may have a realistic sense of your chances. However, as a married 23/24 year old woman, you might find that going to Grab a Dates, Crushes and fraternity mixers with 18 year olds less fun than you think. Close friendships, service opportunities and fun times can also be found in community sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi, or service or leadership organizations, and clubs/interest groups on campus. OU is a big place with big opportunities.

Would it better if I waited and tried to initiate as an AI? I really like the idea of being in a NPC sorority, I have read a lot about the different ones on their websites and just find everything so fascinating. I just dont know how difficult this would be to get in either.

Originally Posted by NotSure27

Would it better if I waited and tried to initiate as an AI? I really like the idea of being in a NPC sorority, I have read a lot about the different ones on their websites and just find everything so fascinating. I just dont know how difficult this would be to get in either.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Even though you really can't compare the two, it's often said that AI is HARDER than sorority recruitment. Read some of the AI threads here. A lot of women have experienced joy and heartbreak over the years. Some have started their AI journey years ago but still...nothing.

AI should be treated as an HONOR given to a select few women, not "a way in" because you didn't rush in college.

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by NotSure27

Would it better if I waited and tried to initiate as an AI? I really like the idea of being in a NPC sorority, I have read a lot about the different ones on their websites and just find everything so fascinating. I just dont know how difficult this would be to get in either.

I don't usually answer these because I don't want to sound like a hypocrite, but...

No. Having a fascination with sororities and wanting to have a collegiate sorority experience are perfectly unacceptable reasons to consider AI. I'll be one of the first people to say that there are viable reasons for AI, but those reasons are not any of the ones you have listed. Please take the advice given above of alternate ways to get involved on your campus if you do not receive a bid or continue to choose not to go through recruitment. There is no way ever to recreate a college experience, and AI is in no way shape or form about the college experience.

[Katmandu]

AI is not a way to capture the collegiate sorority experience missed in college.

Again, you should talk to your greek life office to see about COB opportunities, and a realistic talk about your situation/chances. I wasn't telling you not to attempt it, just noting that OU is rather competitive and traditional. No one here can do anything other than offer some semi-informed opinions. Sorority women on your own campus and the greek life office can tell you more.

Close friendships, social opportunities and philanthropic ventures are available from a lot of organizations, not just greek ones. If greek life doesn't work out, there would be a lot of other options in Norman. Options that could include your husband as well.

[NotSure27]

Originally Posted by Jen

Joining as an AI is totally, utterly and completely different from joining as a collegiate.

The two experiences don't compare at all. If you're looking for the collegiate experience, you'd be very disappointed with joining as an AI.

But I am not necessarily looking for the collegiate experience...

I plan to find out about Spring recuritment and talk to some sorority girls that I know. I plan to try at least.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Ok, sorry... I accidentally put that you had to complete either one of those, but in reality, you have to do both. So you would have to complete 3 years in the chapter before you could be an alumna. But yes, we have people all the time who complete 3 years in the sorority, might have an extra semester or year of school left, and then can choose to go into collegiate alumnae status. I attended school for an extra semester (because I changed my major 3 times. haha), and I had the option, but I chose to stay active.

It's Standing Rule #10 in the Collegiate Constitution

Good work. Thanks!

[cbm]

As an OU grad, I will be honest with you....I really do not think you have much of a chance at getting a bid. Rush is competitive, and it's hard for traditional rushees to get into top houses. We have one of the largest rushes, so no houses are hurting for pledges. I just can't see many (or any) of them extending a bid to a married rushee. Also, in my sorority once you get married, you move to alum status.

If you are not looking for the traditional collegiate experience, I'm not sure why you would rush. I would honestly look into some other similar organizations, such as Junior League.